William butcher



(No model.)

W. BUTCHBR.

Railway Fish Plate. No.234,529. Patented Nov.'16, |880.A

lllllllll 1 In n n Hli uulullllllllnw THGGRAPHER, WASHINGTO UNtTnn STATES PATENT @Triton VILLIAM BUTOHER, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

RAILWAY FISH-PLATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 234,529, dated November 16, 1880. Application filed October 19, 1880. (No model.) Patented in France August 4, 1880 in Belgium August 6, 1880.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM BUTCHER, of London, England, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Railway Fish-Plates, of which the following specification is a full description.

This invention has for its object to more perfectly unite the extremities of two rails by means oftishplates; and it consists in the new method of constructing the saine, substantially as hereinafter described.

By the use ofthe new fish-plates a more solid and rigid connection is effected than by lishplates heretofore in use.

A chief advantage of the new fish-plates resides in the diminution of their weight, while at the same time greater elasticity and a more perfect clamping` of the rails by them are et'- fected.

It is well known that when a locomotive or train of cars passes over the rails there is a jar of the ground and a vibration ot' the rails, which causes the loosening of the bolts, and as a result the fish-plates are loosened and the rails themselves less firmly connected, and it follows that the weight of the train upon each rail causes it to sink below the level ofthe rail that succeeds it, thereby occasioning successive shocks to the vehicle. These rapidly-succeeding shocks are the principal cause of the rapid deterioration ofthe rolling material upon railroads. On the other hand experience has demonstrated that all eliort of resistance to these successive and accumulated shocks or retardations to the progress of the train orlocomotive is transmitted tothe fish-bolts, the effect heilig most severe upon the first bolt and diminishingtoward themiddle of the fish-plate, which part corresponds with the space left between the two rails.

The present invention is designed to overcome these. ditliculties; and it consists in an elastic iish plate or bar, thickest in the middle and tapering'toward its ends, whereby a strong locking or clamping ot' the two extremities, and consequently a more solid joint for the two rails, is obtained. Moreover7 this form of fishplate is less liable than those now in general use to be affected by the shocks occasioned by l the passage of a train.

The accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, illustrate an elastic ribbed fish-plate constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure l is a section ot' a rail with the ends of fish-plate exposed 5 Fig. 2, a vertical section on line x y, Fig. 3; and Fig. 3, a longitudinal section ot' a rail and fish-plates.

As is seen in Fig. 3, the thickest part ofthe plates A A is in the middle, and the thickness gradually diminishes toward the two extremities, a a b b. rlhe plates do not press against the rails B B', except at their ribbed portion c c. The slrbolts G G at the two extremities of the plate are tightened against the thinnest` portion ot' the plates, so that the elasticity ot' said plates prevents them from becoming loose. The etfect ot' this elasticity of the plates A A is also felt at the bolts D D, but in a less degree, the extreme bolts, G C', being, as has been said, the ones mostliable to become loosened by the shocks occasioned by the passage of a train. rI his disposition of the fish-bolts in the concavity or hollowed portion ot' the plates A A serves to insure a perfectly-rigid ljoint between the two rails, eft'ectually resisting all tendency of the bolts to become loosened, and preventing shocks or opposition to the passing train.

Independently ol' these practical advantages the use of the present invention realizes considerable economy in the material employed in constructing' fish-plates, which is an important consideration where a large number of these articles are used, as upon long lines ot' railroad.

The form ot' fish-plate shown and described is the one deemed preferable, and is considered to embody the best manner ot' carrying theinvention into effect; but it is evident that it will admit of many modications without departing from the spirit of the invention, the object of which is, broadly, to produce a sh- -plate for use in the construction of railwaylines, rendered elastic by being made to taper gradually from the middle toward the two ends, whereby lightness, rigidity, and permanence are given to the joint between the two rails connected thereby.

The invention is not limited to any particular material, as under different circumstances IOO different materials may be used to greatest advantage.`

Having now fully described the seid invention and the manner iu which the same is or 5 may be carried into effect, what I claim, and

desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

An elastic ish-plate, as described, thickest at the middle and tapering toward its ends,

and having ribs at the two extremities, as set forth. 1o

In testimony whereofI have signed my name to this specification before two subscribing witmesses.

W'itnesses: WILLIAM BUTOHER.

EMILE BARBAULT, AUG. VINCK. 

